Covid legacy highlights need for good respiratory health, says Expert

NEW DELHI/JAMMU: The global pandemic has underscored the importance of respiratory health, bringing it to the forefront of public consciousness. This week, the University of Dundee will host the World Bronchiectasis Conference, drawing over 700 experts to discuss this increasingly common but underrecognized illness.

Bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition affecting tens of millions globally, has traditionally lacked public awareness despite its significant impact on health. Professor James Chalmers, a leading authority on bronchiectasis from Dundee’s School of Medicine and Chair of the conference, emphasized the need for greater awareness. "Since the pandemic, there is a greater awareness of respiratory health and the impact that illnesses affecting this can have on our day-to-day lives," said Professor Chalmers. "However, respiratory health is so much more than Covid-19. Despite being more common than conditions such as MS or Parkinson’s disease, bronchiectasis remains relatively unknown. This needs to change."

The World Bronchiectasis Conference, running from July 4-6 at the University’s Dalhousie Building, will serve as a platform for the global respiratory health community to exchange knowledge and present the latest research breakthroughs.

In a ground-breaking development, last month saw the identification of the world’s first potential therapy for bronchiectasis, brensocatib, following a trial led by Professor Chalmers and Insmed, a global biopharmaceutical company. The ASPEN study revealed that participants treated with brensocatib experienced significant reductions in pulmonary exacerbations, a common symptom of bronchiectasis. The first detailed results of this trial will be presented at the conference in Dundee.

Professor Chalmers added, "Bringing this conference to Dundee is very exciting. I am told it will bring well over £1 million to the Dundee economy, and more importantly, the science we will be sharing over the coming days has the potential to have a major impact on people with respiratory disease around the world. We are so proud of our Dundee team who are leading the world in respiratory science."